Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, addressed speculation surrounding Fakhar Zaman’s omission from the national squad for the South Africa tour.

In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Rizwan emphasized that Fakhar’s exclusion was not driven by personal bias.

“I think the whole of Pakistan knows Fakhar Zaman, and there’s nothing personal about him that makes anyone feel like he’s being treated unfairly. From the conversations we’ve had among ourselves, everyone is hopeful about him because he is something different for Pakistan – he’s a character and a game-changer,” said Rizwan.

The wicket-keeper batter also revealed that his omission from the squad was not related only to fitness issues.

“I don’t think anyone knows that he’s unwell, basically. It’s not only fitness issue, meaning it’s not like he failed a fitness test. From what I personally know, he’s unwell with something like a viral fever. Because of this illness, he’s been advised to participate in the ongoing T20 tournament in Pakistan. And, God forbid, if anything serious happens, the doctors will look after him properly,” he said.

The 32-year-old further explained that the selection committee, coaching staff, and PCB management were all aware of the situation and supportive of Fakhar’s recovery.

“I’ve also discussed this matter with the selection committee, and the coach and PCB management have been informed to take good care of Fakhar. So, there’s nothing personal against him – the whole of Pakistan knows this. Everyone is hopeful that he’ll rejoin the Pakistan team soon,” he added.

Contrary to these claims, the 34-year-old, currently representing the Markhors in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup, dismissed the notion of being unfit.

“I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing. If there is a chance, I will play. I started my career at the Champions Trophy, and I’m thankful that my performances were good and we won matches there. In this Champions Trophy, my only effort will be to play well and win games,” Fakhar said.

Last month, interim white-ball head coach Aaqib Javed addressed Fakhar’s selection, citing fitness challenges as the reason for his omission.

“Fakhar is a match-winner; he has performed for Pakistan for many years. He was having some fitness problems,” Aaqib shared.

“We are in communication with Fakhar. Whenever he gets fit, the selection committee will definitely consider him for selection, and you’ll see him [playing] in the future,” he added.

However, the left-handed batter failed to make it into the white-ball squads for the forthcoming tour. In a statement released by the PCB, Javed reiterated that fitness concerns were the reason for his exclusion.

“Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness,” Javed was quoted by the PCB.

For the unversed, the opening batter’s last appearance for the green shirts came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

जिम्बाब्वे और पाकिस्तान के बीच वनडे सीरीज का पहला मुकाबला 24 नवंबर (रविवार) को बुलावायो के क्वींस स्पोर्ट्स क्लब में खेला गया. इस मुकाबले में जिम्बाब्वे ने डीएलएस नियम के तहत 80 रनों से जीत हासिल की. इस जीत के साथ ही मेजबान जिम्बाब्वे ने तीन मैचों की सीरीज में 1-0 की लीड ली. दूसरा वनडे 26 नवंबर को इसी मैदान पर खेला जाएगा.

पाकिस्तानी बल्लेबाजों का शर्मनाक प्रदर्शन

इस मुकाबले में जिम्बाब्वे ने पाकिस्तान को जीत के लिए 206 रनों का टारगेट दिया था. जवाब में पाकिस्तान ने जब 21 ओवरों में 6 विकेट पर 60 रन बनाए थे, तभी बारिश आ गई. उसके बाद आगे का खेल नहीं हो सका. उस वक्त जिम्बाब्वे 80 रनों से आगे था. ऐसे में जिम्बाब्वे को डीएल नियम से विजेता घोषित कर दिया गया.

39 with the bat
2/7 with the ball @SRazaB24 is the Player of the Match for his excellent all-round display in #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/1LwxfEorzH

सम्बंधित ख़बरें

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) November 24, 2024

जिम्बाब्वे के लिए रिचर्ड नगारवा ने सबसे ज्यादा 52 गेंदों पर 48 रन बनाए, जिसमें पांच चौके के अलावा एक सिक्स शामिल रहा. वहीं सिकंदर रजा ने छह चौके की मदद से 39 रन बनाए. तदिवानाशे मारुमनी ने 29 और सीन विलियम्स ने 23 रनों की उपयोगी पारियां खेलीं. पाकिस्तान के लिए आगा सलमान और फैसल अकरम ने तीन-तीन विकेट लिए थे.

पाकिस्तानी टीम ने रनचेज के दौरान लगातार विकेट खोए. ऐसे में जब बारिश आई, तब तक वो मुकाबले में पिछड़ चुकी थी. कप्तान मोहम्मद रिजवान ने 19 रन बनाने के लिए 43 गेंदें खेलीं. इसके अलावा कामरान गुलाम (17) और सैम अयूब (11) ही डबल डिजिट में पहुंच सके. जिम्बाब्वे के लिए ब्लेसिंग मुजारबानी, सिकंदर रजा और  सीन विलियम्स ने दो-दो विकेट लिए. ऑलराउंड प्रदर्शन के लिए सिकंदर रजा को प्लेयर ऑफ द मैच चुना गया.

जिम्बाब्वे की प्लेइंग इलेवन: तदिवानाशे मारुमनी (विकेटकीपर), जॉयलॉर्ड गम्बी, डियोन मायर्स, क्रेग इर्विन (कप्तान), सीन विलियम्स, सिकंदर रजा, ब्रायन बेनेट, ब्रैंडन मावुता, रिचर्ड नगारवा, ब्लेसिंग मुजारबानी, ट्रेवर ग्वांडू.

पाकिस्तान की प्लेइंग इलेवन: सैम अयूब, अब्दुल्लाह शफीक, कामरान गुलाम, मोहम्मद रिजवान (विकेटकीपर/कप्तान), हसीबुल्लाह खान, आगा सलमान, इरफान खान, आमेर जमाल, हारिस रऊफ, मोहम्मद हसनैन, फैसल अकरम.

Pakistan batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan experienced a drop in their positions in the latest ICC T20I Batting Rankings released on Wednesday.

The Green Shirts suffered a humiliating whitewash in the three-match series, mainly courtesy of the team’s below-par batting performance.

Babar managed a meagre 47 runs in the series at an average of 15.66 and a strike-rate of 142.42, meanwhile, Rizwan scored 16 runs in two games at a dismal strike-rate of 57.14. Consequently, both batters dropped one place each in the ICC T20I Batting Rankings.

Mohammad Rizwan is currently in 6th place with 719 rating points, while Babar Azam has dropped from 4th to 5th place with 742 rating points.

It’s worth noting that other than Babar and Rizwan, no Pakistani batter is among the top 50 batters in the T20I rankings, with Fakhar Zaman (64) being the third-highest-ranked batter from the country.

Meanwhile, Indian batter Tilak Varma made a massive leap in the ICC T20I Batting Rankings, jumping a whopping 69 spots to clinch third place after his stellar performance in the four-match series against South Africa.

Varma smashed two undefeated centuries in the series, amassing a total of 280 runs over the course of four innings with a remarkable average of 140.00 and an explosive strike rate of 198.58.

It’s worth noting that Australia’s Travis Head, who missed the series against Pakistan, is leading the batting rankings, followed by England’s Phil Salt.

Varma’s team-mate Sanju Samson, who was the second-highest run-scorer in the series against South Africa, also made a notable gain, rising 17 places to reach 22nd.

Samson also struck two centuries during the series and accumulated 216 runs at an average of 111 and a strike rate of 194.59.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to appoint wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket teams.

Sources said that Rizwan’s meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ended and the chief has decided to name the keeper as captain of the ODI and T20I teams.

The suggestion was made by head coach Gary Kirsten and the appointment was also supported by the selectors of the national cricket team, as per the insiders.

Meanwhile, the white-ball vice-captaincy of the national team will be handed over to Salman Ali Agha.

The development came after former captain Babar Azam stepped down as white-ball captain earlier this month citing that he wanted “to prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy”.

As for the possible new skipper of the team, he is skilled and experienced in this department as he has led various teams in the domestic circuit of Pakistan as well as the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The wicketkeeper-batter was named captain of the franchise in 2021 and led his team to title victory by beating Peshawar Zalmi in the final of the PSL.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as captain and batting all-rounder Agha Salman as the vice-captain of the cricket team for the white ball format.

Babar announced he was stepping down as Pakistan’s One-day Interna­tional and T20I skipper on October 2 in a post on his social media platform ‘X’ account, saying he wanted to focus on his playing role.

The national selection committee was tasked with finding the next white-ball captain following Azam’s resignation from the position.

While speaking to the media in Lahore, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced Rizwan and Salman as the captain and vice-captain of the cricket team for the one day international and T20 international, respectively.

Rizwan’s first assignment as the skipper will be a three-match one-day international (ODI) and T20I series against Australia commencing from November 4.

However, Agha will lead the T20I side in Zimbabwe as Rizwan is rested under a workload management plan, stated a press release issued by the cricket governing body.

Earlier in the day, the cricket board had announced their squad for the upcoming matches against Australia and Zimbabwe.